PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, PHILLIES

 Sizing up Black Sunday in Philadelphia sports..

Eagles-

5 1/2 point favorites, the Eagles were predicted not to have much trouble with Washington. A team with no (nick)name. The former Redskin offense was porous, starting the season with second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Under new coach Ron Rivera, Washington was still a work in progress.

Meanwhile, the Birds had consistentcy on their side, with Coach Doug Pederson and 5th-year QB Carson Wentz. Up 17-0 just like that, the Eagles threatened to make the season opener a blow-out. Instead it was Philly that crumbled in a disappointing and shocking 27-17 loss.

Here are some of the low-lights:_ Wentz has to know better than to throw the weak interceptions he lamely tossed. Pederson can't call those plays- sideline patterns to rookie receivers. The Washington cornerbacks jumped the routes as the wide-outs failed to fight for the ball. Worse yet, the first pick came with only over a minute left in the fiest half. Like a goal scored in the final seconds of a hockey period, the momentum immediately shifted to Washington. After a promising start, including touchdowns to tight ends Ertz and Goddard, suddenly one could feel the game slowly slipping away.

_ Questionable play-calling. Still up 17-14 in the 3rd quarter, ball on the Washington 45, 4th and 4 to go, Pederson decided to go for it. Why not punt, pin the Washington team near the goal line ( whatever happened to the coffin-kick? Instead, Wentz got sacked when Washington blitzed the Eagles' leaky , injury-riddled O-line and Washington had another short field to work with.

The only way the Eagles couldv'e lost this game was if they handed Washington the game, with turnovers and stupid plays. That's exactly what they did.

True, the Birds had tons of walking wounded for the opener. Lane Johnson and Miles Sanders were the most-missed. But the injury situation traces back to GM Howie Rossman. This team has no depth whatsoever. Instead of using that 2nd round draft pick last spring on a backup quarterback you hope never sees the field, Offensive line depth, or even a running back would've helped down in DC. What about experienced vets like WR Hopkins, or RBs Hyde or Fournette?

Washington walked away with the victory. They played decent defense, nothing spectacular. But it didn't take spectacular play to defeat the Birds on Sunday. The Eagles didn't force any turnovers. Washington played mistake-free football, while the Eagles were full of physical and mental mistakes after the 1st quarter.

Meanwhile, Dallas lost to the Rams, which was the onlt positive of the day. The Birds play those same Rams next Sunday at the Linc. For a home opener it's almost a must-win situation for the Eagles. Can't start the season 0-2. Los Angeles will be traveling cross-country and playing at 10:00 am west coast time. Hopefully Philadelphia gets some key players back for a big game next Sunday afternoon.

Phillies-

The Phils lost a doubleheader in Miami yesterday, falling to 3rd place in NL East, 4 games behind division-leading Atlanta. Injuries hit the phillies hard as well, with Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto out. Both are having MRIs today. But perhaps the most concerning injury is to star prospect Spencer Howard, who left the game with right shoulder stiffness.

Former top pitching prospect, Sixto Sanchez, faced his old organization in Game 1 on Sunday, pitching a complete game 7-inning version. Sixto is the real deal. H'es fun to watch, hitting 100 mph. on the gun several times. Along with his explsive fastball, Sanchez throws a tight slider and a heavy sinkerball. He is calm and poised on the mound. As long as he stays healthy he should be an ace for Miami for a while- at least until he hits free agency in a few years. The Marlins have a history of gromming young star players, then getitng cheap and letting them walk in free agency.

With every game Sixto hurls and adds to his early fame, the urgency to sign Realmuto grows. Letitng Realmuto go, while Sanchez blossoms into an All-Star would prove devatating to the Phillies organization. That should also signal the end of the Matt Klentek era.

Rookie Alec (Atomic) Bohm continues to tear up enemy pitching. He looks strange at third base ( too tall to play the position), but offensively Bohm seems uneffected by big league pitching. Ideally, Gohm should play first base, with Hoskins staying on at designated hitter.

The DH should become permanent in the National League. Even though the Phillies are  obly 3-9 in 7-inning games this season, I can also see the 7-inning rule going permanent too. It makes the games go quicker, with a new set of strategy. But if you're going to use 7-inning games, it shouldn't just be for doubleheaders. Why not all games/ That way, doubleheaders can be scheduled on a regular basis, giving players more days off? Two games for the price of one would be fun for fans. Like the old days.